Rajanikant Panda | Neurology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Rajanikant Panda | Neurology | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral researcher at University of California, San Francisco, United States

Rajanikant Panda is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He specializes in computational neuroscience, focusing on consciousness. He earned his PhD from the University of Liège, Belgium, and has published over 60 SCI-indexed journal articles, accumulating 1700+ citations with an H-index of 22. Rajanikant has extensive experience in multimodal neuroimaging and computational modeling, using tools like EEG, ECoG, fMRI, and PET to explore brain dynamics across various states of consciousness. He is passionate about applying AI and neuroimaging techniques to improve clinical outcomes for patients with neurological disorders.

Profile

Scholar

🎓 Education

PhD in Medical Science (2017-2022): University of Liège, Belgium – Focused on computational and empirical modeling of altered states of consciousness. M.E. in Applied Electronics (2013-2015): Anna University, India – Conducted research on brain tumor functional network mapping. B.Tech in Biomedical Engineering (2006-2010): Biju Patnaik University of Technology, India – Thesis on EEG signal classification for epileptic seizure detection.

💼 Experience

Postdoctoral Fellow, UCSF, USA (2023–Present): Studying brain dynamics in acute comatose patients. Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Liège, Belgium (2022-2023): Researched virtual reality hypnosis and chronic disorders of consciousness. Junior Scientific Officer, NIMHANS, India (2013-2017): Focused on brain connectivity in neurological patients using EEG-fMRI. Junior Research Fellow, NIMHANS, India (2011-2013): Developed simultaneous EEG-fMRI data acquisition protocols. Biomedical Engineer, Human Kariger Pvt. Ltd, India (2010-2011): Provided technical support for neurofeedback systems.

🏆 Awards and Honors

F.R.S.-FNRS Aspirant Grant for PhD research at University of Liège. DST Travel Grant to present research at an international conference, USA (2012). Guest Editor for journals like Brain Connectivity and Frontiers Psychology – Consciousness Research. Best Paper Awards at international conferences on neuroscience and consciousness.

🔬 Research Focus

Characterizing brain dynamics across consciousness spectrums (meditation, hypnosis, coma). Leveraging computational tools like brain connectivity, network theory, and information theory. Developing multimodal neuroimaging techniques (EEG, ECoG, fMRI, PET). Enhancing neurocritical care through AI-based diagnostics and therapeutic predictions. Investigating mechanisms underlying consciousness in disorders of consciousness and dying patients.

Conclusion

Dr. Panda’s unparalleled expertise, impactful contributions, and commitment to advancing neuroscience make him a deserving recipient of the Best Researcher Award. His work not only pushes the boundaries of scientific knowledge but also offers transformative clinical insights, underlining his significant impact on the field.

Publications 📚

 

  • Classification of EEG signal using wavelet transform and support vector machine for epileptic seizure detection
    • Year: 2010
    • Authors: R Panda, PS Khobragade, PD Jambhule, SN Jengthe, PR Pal, TK Gandhi

 

  • Preservation of brain activity in unresponsive patients identifies MCS star
    • Year: 2021
    • Authors: A Thibaut, R Panda, J Annen, LRD Sanz, L Naccache, C Martial, …

 

  • Quantifying arousal and awareness in altered states of consciousness using interpretable deep learning
    • Year: 2022
    • Authors: M Lee, LRD Sanz, A Barra, A Wolff, JO Nieminen, M Boly, M Rosanova, …

 

  • Decreased integration of EEG source-space networks in disorders of consciousness
    • Year: 2019
    • Authors: J Rizkallah, J Annen, J Modolo, O Gosseries, P Benquet, S Mortaheb, …

 

  • Role of altered cerebello-thalamo-cortical network in the neurobiology of essential tremor
    • Year: 2017
    • Authors: A Lenka, KS Bhalsing, R Panda, K Jhunjhunwala, RM Naduthota, J Saini, …

 

  • Temporal dynamics of the default mode network characterize meditation-induced alterations in consciousness
    • Year: 2016
    • Authors: R Panda, RD Bharath, N Upadhyay, S Mangalore, S Chennu, SL Rao

 

  • Loss of consciousness reduces the stability of brain hubs and the heterogeneity of brain dynamics
    • Year: 2021
    • Authors: A López-González, R Panda, A Ponce-Alvarez, G Zamora-López, …

 

  • Recovery of resting brain connectivity ensuing mild traumatic brain injury
    • Year: 2015
    • Authors: RD Bharath, A Munivenkatappa, S Gohel, R Panda, J Saini, J Rajeswaran, …

 

  • Perturbations in dynamical models of whole-brain activity dissociate between the level and stability of consciousness
    • Year: 2021
    • Authors: Y Sanz Perl, C Pallavicini, I Pérez Ipiña, A Demertzi, V Bonhomme, …

 

  • Machine learning detects EEG microstate alterations in patients living with temporal lobe epilepsy
    • Year: 2018
    • Authors: SS Rajagopalan, S Bhardwaj, R Panda, VR Reddam, C Ganne, …

 

 

Sara Uldry Júlio | Neurophysiology and Pain Research| Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sara Uldry Júlio | Neurophysiology and Pain Research| Best Researcher Award

 Dr at Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland 

Dr. Sara Uldry Júlio is a postdoctoral researcher at the Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland. With dual citizenship in Switzerland and Portugal, she completed her Ph.D. in Neuroscience in 2024, focusing on the physiology and pathophysiology of intra-epidermal evoked potentials. Her research contributes to spinal cord injury recovery, blending her technical expertise with clinical applications. Beyond research, Dr. Júlio has been an active medical technical assistant and has mentored students and interns. She is passionate about neurophysiology and has a strong record of international collaborations and scientific publications.

Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Dr. Júlio earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Zurich in 2024, researching intra-epidermal electrically evoked potentials. Before that, she completed a Master of Science in Biology, with a major in Neuroscience from ETH Zurich, Switzerland (2019), and conducted research in various renowned institutions like the City College of New York and Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown in Lisbon. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from ETH Zurich (2017) and graduated with an Abitur from the German School of Lisbon, Portugal (2013).

💼 Experience

Dr. Júlio has been a postdoctoral researcher at the Spinal Cord Injury Center since February 2024, continuing her groundbreaking research in spinal cord injury neurophysiology. She also worked as a medical technical assistant in the Neurophysiology department at Balgrist University Hospital since August 2020. Dr. Júlio’s early experience includes research assistant positions at the Institute of Molecular Systems Biology at ETH Zurich, the Spinal Cord Injury Center, and IES Ltd. She has participated in diverse research projects across Switzerland, Portugal, and the USA.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Dr. Júlio was awarded the University of Zurich Candoc Grant (2022-2023), which funded her Ph.D. research with 57,546 CHF. She has co-authored several peer-reviewed publications and presented her work at prestigious international conferences, such as the European Pain Federation and the Zurich Neuroscience Center. Her research on intra-epidermal electrically evoked potentials has been widely recognized for its potential clinical applications in spinal disorders. Additionally, Dr. Júlio has supervised master’s students and interns, contributing significantly to academic leadership.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Júlio’s research is centered on neurophysiology, particularly intra-epidermal electrically evoked potentials and their application in spinal cord injury diagnostics and treatments. Her work investigates the nociceptive specificity and clinical applicability of these potentials in conditions like degenerative cervical myelopathy. Dr. Júlio’s interdisciplinary studies also include the neurophysiological underpinnings of pain perception and student attentional engagement using eye tracking and brain activity. She aims to bridge basic research with clinical applications in spinal cord disorders.

📜 Conclusion

Dr. Sara Uldry Júlio is a promising and accomplished researcher, whose work in neuroscience and spinal cord injury research has already garnered significant recognition. Her leadership, mentorship, and successful publication record make her an excellent candidate for the Best Researcher Award, especially in the field of neurophysiology. Continued expansion of her independent research projects and teaching portfolio could further solidify her reputation as a leading scientist in the field.

Publications Top Notes

  • Intra-epidermal electrically evoked potentials are sensitive to detect degenerative cervical myelopathy suggesting their spinothalamic propagation
    Authors: Júlio, S.U., Schneuwly, M., Scheuren, P.S., Hubli, M., Schubert, M.
    Journal: Clinical Neurophysiology
    Year: 2024
    Cited by: 0

 

  • Intra-epidermal evoked potentials: A promising tool for spinal disorders?
    Authors: Lütolf, R., Júlio, S.U., Schubert, M., Hubli, M.
    Journal: Neurophysiologie Clinique
    Year: 2022
    Cited by: 4